Vocabulary

What is Vocabulary?

For developing adolescent readers, vocabulary here refers to academic vocabulary and discipline-specific vocabulary. These are words that students will see in multiple disciplines and in their life outside of school as well. This vocabulary is called Tier II  and Tier III vocabulary as well. Words like meter, synthesis, analysis, & abstract are examples Tier II vocabulary. Words like photosynthesis, treaty, and pi are examples of Tier III vocabulary. Further down on this page, information about vocabulary instruction is provided for further study.

Characteristics of Students who Struggle with Vocabulary:

• Students can read and sound out words but have to look them up

• Students need lower-lexile text to understand content

• Students do not know prefixes, suffixes

• Students use the same words over and over

• Students cannot find meaning in words that have similar features as other words they do know

• Students cannot use discipline-specific vocabulary in speaking or writing

Importance of Vocabulary:

Students who are more word-conscious are better readers, writers, and speakers. They are also able to understand content more easily because their vocabulary helps them make connections. Students who do not have access to a wide range of vocabulary may struggle in literacy activities because they do not have the language to express their knowledge or connect content to their own lives. A deficiency in vocabulary can lead to a lack of comprehension as students skip words when reading and a lack of expression as they are not able to support their ideas well in writing and speaking.

Vocabulary Activities:

Vocabulary Trees

Frayer Models

Possible Sentences

List, Group, Label

Upstairs Reading Vocabulary

5 Cycle Process